Write a story that experiments with tone — perhaps a difficult subject dealt with in a playful way, or an ostensibly happy scene that hints at darkness lurking beneath.

Posted in Short Story on Jun 16, 2023

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✍️ 63 stories

“Just Keep Breathing” by Erin Barker

Submitted to Contest #203

Reese’s eyes popped open. She froze, staring into the darkness. Her heart pounded against her chest and heat flushed her body. Beneath the covers, she slid one hand to her swollen belly and waited, not daring to breathe. There. A slight tightening of her lower belly held for just a moment before releasing. She tapped the screen of her watch and stared at the minutes. Almost ten minutes passed before her uterus contracted again. Reese exhaled and tapped her watch back off. She quietly turned her head to look at her sleeping husband. She stret...

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“Everything is alright.” by Arter Grim

Submitted to Contest #203

I will always be grateful to my parents for providing me with an adequate education. I realize only now, after having my dear Daniel come into this world, just how difficult it must have been to get up every day and do the same old routine just to have a decent life. Nowadays, it’s rare to hear the alarm bell disturb Daniel’s sleep. I don’t even know why I still have it set up, but I guess old habits die hard. I get up slowly from my bed, put the blanket back on Daniel, and kiss him on the forehead. I don’t know why I feel ashamed for doing ...

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“Graduation Day ” by Kacey Waters

Submitted to Contest #203

“Congratulations Graduates!” Principal Banes’ voice boomed over the PA system. The sound commanded the attention of the teens who had been talking excitedly amongst themselves, seated alphabetically in rows of plastic folding chairs. He gazed out over the gymnasium taking in the bright young faces of his students and their proud parents filling the bleachers in the back. Freshly polished vinyl floors gleamed in the fluorescent lighting, and a red carpet had been unfurled down the aisle for the students to be presented with their new destinie...

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Write a story that experiments with tone — perhaps a difficult subject dealt with in a playful way, or an ostensibly happy scene that hints at darkness lurking beneath.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 63 stories

“Just Keep Breathing” by Erin Barker

“Everything is alright.” by Arter Grim

“Graduation Day ” by Kacey Waters

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story during which two conversations happen simultaneously.

Write about how a single event affects a seemingly unrelated area of a character’s life (their friendships, career, romantic relationships, etc.)

Write about two friends getting into a fist fight.

Start your story in the middle of the action.

Contest #203

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

226

Contest entries

121

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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